Policies

Fundraising

Faribault Soccer Association is a Non-profit organization that relies on donations from corporate sponsors as well as member fundraising. We need these funds to continue to keep player fees to a minimum as well as develop a program that will last into the future.
The following rules will apply to all fundraising that is done for the benefit of the Faribault Soccer Association or it's members.



  1. All money collected through any type of fundraising MUST be turned into the Faribault Soccer Association. FSA is tax exempt and Non-profit.
  2. Any donation of goods (i.e. shirts, water bottles) of $250 or more must have a value assigned to the donation. All donanions must be reported to the Board. See attached fundraising guidelines for clarification.
  3. The board must approve all fundraiser before they begin. Present your plan at a board meeting in person (preferably in writing)

Background
The Faribault Soccer Association has been approved as a 501(c)(3) organization. This designation means that the FSA is both exempt from paying Federal and Minnesota taxes and the donations given to the FSA are normally deductible on the donor's Federal and state tax returns. However, there are several situations where a contribution to FSA might not be deductible. We need to keep these situations in mind when designing out fundraising efforts.

Contributions to a Specific Individual

Contributions to or for the benefit of a specific individual are not tax deductible. For this reason checks should be payable to FSA and all moneys should be deposited first into FSA accounts before being distributed. We also need to be careful when designing fund-raisers to reduce registration expenses. Below are a few examples:

  • John wants to play soccer but cannot afford the registration fees. John solicits money from his neighbor to pay his registration fees. The donations are not deductible because the contribution is to an individual.
  • The same situation as about but John participates in a
    fund-raiser sponsored by FSA. The proceeds are deposited into FSA accounts and the profits are used to reduce John's registration fees.
    The donations are still not deductible because the contribution benefits a specific individual.
  • Again, the same situations as above however, this time the proceeds of the fund-raiser are used to reduce registrations fees of all players (or a group of players). The donations are now deductible.

Quid Pro Quo Contributions

"Quid pro quo contributions" are donations that are partly a donation and partly a payment for goods or services. Most fundraising activities involve quid pro quo contributions. The deductible portion is the amount paid over and above the fair value of the goods or services received. Example:

  • FSA sells a coupon for a free pizza for $12. The value of the pizza is $10. Only $2 is deductible.

If a quid pro quo contributions is $75 or less the donor can determine the portion that is deductible. However, if the quid pro quo contribution is greater than $75 FSA must provide a statement to the donor of the amount that is deductible.

Contributions of Time or Services


Contributions of time or services are not deductible. However, expenses incurred might be deductible. Example:

  • An individual helps and provides a truck and trailer to move goals from one location to another. No deduction is allowed for the time donated. However, mileage could be deducted.

Acknowledgement of contributions over $250


A donor can deduct a contribution over $250 only if the donor has a written acknowledgment for FSA. The acknowledgment must include in its text the amount of the donation.


Rostering Up

It is the goal of the Faribault Soccer Association (FSA) to give every child who has a desire to play soccer the opportunity to do so.
In order to accomplish this we have adopted a policy for players playing on teams outside of their age groups.



  1. For purposes of this policy, "Rostering up" refers to a player Rostering on a team other than his/her available age group. It also refers to a player Rostering on one team and permanently playing on another. "Playing up" and " Guest Players" are not included in this policy. Also, if there is no U11 team, and a U11 player is rostered on a U12 team, this IS NOT considered a "Roster up".
  2. FSA will NOT guarantee to anyone that they may "Roster up" to another team.
  3. If it is in the best interest of FSA and all teams affected, FSA may ask certain players if they are interested in Rostering up to another team. Each player and their parents will then have a choice, we will not force the player up.
  4. When a family has 2 children close in age, they may request that the younger child be allowed to Roster up. FSA will attempt to accommodate the request providing:

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    1. There is an available roster spot open at that age group on the last possible player registration date. We will attempt to fill all roster spots with children from the appropriate age group and will continue to do so until the player registration deadline. (We will not turn away a 12 year old child so that we can play an 11 year old on the U12 team)
    2. If a child is eligible for a U11 team and petitions to play on U12, their moving up cannot hurt the numbers for the U11 team. If FSA determines there is an adequate number of players on the U11 team, we would then consider a POSSIBLE Roster up providing that all other conditions are met.
    3. The players skill level and size must be close to that of the team they would be playing on. We do not want to increase the risk of injury by Rostering a child where they don't belong. FSA reserves the right to require a tryout for the coaches affected. They will determine the players skill level.


  5. Any parent may petition to Roster their child up even if there is not a sibling on the team. They would need to meet the same criteria as the children with siblings.
  6. If there is more than one petition to Roster up and all other criteria are met and if there are limited positions available, the order will be as follows:

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    1. Children with siblings
    2. All others.
    3. If necessary, there will be a tryout for the coaches of team being played up to. Those coaches with the FSA board members will make All final decisions.


PLAYER AND ADULT PROTECTION GUIDELINES

DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this document, we will define ADULT as those persons in their roles as coach, assistant coach, board member, team manager or volunteer who works with, for or around PLAYERS. This would include anyone older than the age group they are interacting with; for example, a 15-year old assistant coach of a U-11 team would be considered an ADULT for the purposes of these Guidelines.

PLAYER defines all persons who are members of or play on a soccer team. This definition does include those players who participate at the U-19 level, even though they may be of legal age.

In the example of the 15-year old assistant coach: if s/he is also a rostered participant on a U-16 or higher team, that person is also subject to the guidelines applicable to a PLAYER.

GUIDELINES

These guidelines recognize that the lines of authority and separation between adults and players must be recognized and respected. Generally, players are children and as such, deserve special protection. These guidelines provide that protection while setting levels of acceptable conduct for adults.

  1. I.                    Physical Contact
    1. A.     ADULTS must be aware that any physical contact with PLAYERS can be misinterpreted. Physical contact should be limited to that necessary and appropriate to teach a skill, treat an injury, or console or congratulate a player. In the instance of teaching a skill, minimal contact should be involved and none which places the ADULT in a position of power and/or intimidation; for example, taking a PLAYER by the shoulders and physically moving them to another field or body position.
    2. B.     Sexual contact of any kind or type is prohibited between ADULTS and PLAYERS, whether or not contact is consensual. [The exemption to this guideline would be in the event of player/coach spouses or legally-declared domestic partners.]

II.    Social Contact

  1. ADULTS should not socialize or spend time alone with PLAYERS except at games, practices, or team functions. An ADULT in a one-on-one situation with a PLAYER is generally inappropriate.
    1. ADULTS should avoid instances such as driving alone with a non-family PLAYER. However, in the event that a PLAYER remains on a field waiting for transportation, the ADULT should wait with the PLAYER on the field to guarantee the PLAYER’S safety and well-being. (ADULTS should stress with their PLAYERS’ parents the responsibility for safe and timely transportation to and from the field.)
    2. During out-of-town tournaments, a non-parent/custodian ADULT shall not share any sleeping arrangements with a PLAYER or PLAYERS.
    3. ADULTS should respect the privacy of PLAYERS. If shower or changing room facilities are available, schedules should be arranged so that ADULTS and PLAYERS have separate use. If using a changing room, ADULTS should provide privacy for PLAYERS to make necessary preparations before entering for pre/post-game discussions. In addition, ADULTS should not allow others to enter except by the expressed wish of the PLAYERS still present.

III.    Health and Well-being

  1. ADULTS share the responsibility for the PLAYERS’ health while at practices, scrimmages, and games. ADULTS should have PLAYERS’ release forms and medical kits with them at all times. ADULTS are also responsible for seeing that the field conditions are safe for the PLAYERS and that the field equipment is in good, safe condition prior to the start of any activity.
  2. Head injuries resulting in disorientation should result in a PLAYER remaining out of the game.
  3. ADULTS transporting players must model safe driving techniques and enforce seat belt use with PLAYERS and other vehicle occupants.
  4. ADULTS need to be aware of signs of neglect and abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) of the PLAYERS. Observations should be reported to the local law enforcement agency.

IV.    Language

  1. Offensive and insulting language by ADULTS or PLAYERS is unacceptable. ADULTS should model good communication skills.
  2. Language that is denigrating in nature, content or tone or refers to one’s gender, race, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or religion is unacceptable.
  3. Inappropriate language targeting officials, opponents, or spectators may be grounds for PLAYER penalties or ADULTS’ removal from the game and/or the premises.

 

V.    Violations

  • A.     Violations of these guidelines by ADULTS or PLAYERS will subject them to disciplinary actions, including but not limited to, warnings, sanctions, suspensions or release by the Affiliate Member and/or MYSA.
  • B.     Appropriate legal authorities may be called upon based on the nature of the violation.
  • C.    Anyone witnessing a violation of these guidelines should report the violation to the office of the State Risk Manager/Vice President of Administration, MYSA.